Nine infants die of malnutrition

BANJARNEGARA, Central Java: Nine infants from eight villages in Banjarnegara regency have died of malnutrition over the past five months, regent Nurachmad said on Monday.

"From the total of 278 villages in Banjarnegara, 213 have been named as areas prone to malnutrition. Only 53 villages have been declared safe," Nurachmad said.

Local officials have established emergency posts to provide free staple food and other necessary help to needy residents. (45/edt)